🥞 Pancakes, Gas Prices, and Elvis

Welcome to your weekly San Fernando Valley update: May 7–May 13, 2026.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 💐 Mother’s Day

• 🛍️ Markets

• 🥞 Pancakes

• ⛽️ Gas Prices

Anyone else overwhelmed by messages?

Emails, texts, Instagram DMs, Slack messages, Snaps, Whatsapp threads, group chats, Discord channels, and a USPS mailbox.

I’m staring at 431 unread text messages right now.

One of my friends just switched back to using a landline and won’t give anyone the number.

Maybe he’s onto something?

PS The irony of you reading this email isn’t lost on me.

This week’s newsletter is sponsored by My Valley Pass:

🎪 Community Family Festival (Northridge)

Salute to Recreation is a three-day community festival (May 15–17) with live music, carnival rides, a children’s zone, pickleball tournaments, an artisan marketplace, and food trucks.

An annual tradition since 1982. Promoting healthy, active lifestyles via the LA Department of Recreation and Parks.

Free. Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17 at Northridge Recreation Center (18300 Lemarsh St.).

Here’s what’s happening:

Ongoing

🎭 Millennials Are Killing Musicals (Burbank): The Colony Theatre's world premiere musical comedy follows a single millennial mom whose younger influencer sister shows up eight months pregnant. Directed by a Tony Award nominee. Cast includes actors from Wicked (Touring), Grey’s Anatomy, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, and Little Shop of Horrors. $70. Through Sunday, May 17, at The Colony Theatre (555 N. Third St.).

🎨 Magnolia After Dark Paint and Sip (Valley Village): Paint by candlelight over sommelier-selected wines with guided instruction. Leave with a finished painting and a crystal gift bag. $50. Sundays starting at 6 PM at The Magnolia Art Space (12445 Magnolia Blvd.).

Thursday, May 7

✏️ K-Pop Demon Hunters Figure Drawing (Burbank): A figure drawing session featuring a live cosplay model from the film, with K-Pop and pop hits on the playlist. Pencil and paper provided. $15–$25. Thursday, May 7, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM at Geeky Teas (900 W. Alameda Ave.).

Friday, May 8

🌮 Downtown Burbank Cultural Market (Burbank): A cultural night market at a new temporary location with live DJ, performances, food vendors, and a kids’ corner. Free. Friday, May 8, from 5 to 10 PM at 280 E. Orange Grove Ave.

💐 Mother's Day Floral Workshop (North Hollywood): Learn floral design basics and leave with a lux bouquet for mom or yourself. Wine and snacks included. $55. Friday, May 8, starting at 6:30 PM at Swan Movement Arts (5116 Lankershim Blvd.).

🍹 Free Margarita Social (Toluca Lake): Free margaritas, local restaurant bites, and a massage station. RSVP to enter the raffle for Pantages tickets and more. Hosted by Landon Realty. Free. Friday, May 8, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM at 4004 W. Riverside Dr.

Saturday, May 9

🥞 18th Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser (Toluca Lake): Fresh pancakes, classic breakfast, and a chance to meet the firefighters of Station 86. All proceeds benefit the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighters Fund. $10. Saturday, May 9, from 9 to 12 PM at LAFD Station 86 (4305 Vineland Ave.).

🥾 Hike, Then Pancakes (Studio City): Start the morning with a group hike at Fryman Canyon, then head to LAFD Station 86 for the annual pancake breakfast fundraiser. Hosted by NOHO GYM. Free. Saturday, May 9, starting at 8:30 AM at Fryman Canyon trailhead (3453 Fryman Rd.).

🌱 Get Out and Garden Day (Arleta): A free family event at the Arleta Backyard Farm with waffle making, kid bingo, clay insect sculpting, and sidewalk chalk. Free. Saturday, May 9, from 10 AM to 1 PM at 13625 Sunburst St.

🧼 Soap Making Workshop (North Hollywood): Learn cold-process soap making with over 25 colorants, fragrances, and botanicals. Make a pound of soap. Snacks and drinks included. $87. Saturday, May 9, from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at Refill Bodega (5153 Strohm Ave.).

💀 Small Business Saturday (Sylmar): Over 20 vendors, live performances, and drinks inside the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery. All proceeds go toward cemetery upkeep, which relies entirely on donations. 16 and under free. $5. Saturday, May 9, from 12 to 7 PM at Pioneer Memorial Cemetery (14451 Bledsoe St.).

👗 Vintage Sidewalk Sale (Burbank): Tons of vintage jewelry and clothing under $10 at this recurring second-Saturday sidewalk sale. Saturday, May 9, from 11 AM to 4 PM at Yes Baby Vintage (3420 W. Magnolia Blvd.).

💃 Mama and Me Dance Class (Studio City): A Mother's Day weekend dance experience. Learn to dance with your little ones. Each ticket covers one adult and two kids. $25. Saturday, May 9, at 11 AM at The Six Compound (4061 Laurel Canyon Blvd.).

🐶 Dog Adoption Fundraiser (Burbank): Meet adoptable dogs and support a local rescue at this afternoon's adoption event. At a plant market. Free. Saturday, May 9, from 12 to 2 PM at 2120 W. Magnolia Blvd.

🎤 Elvis & Johnny Cash Tribute (Woodland Hills): A live Elvis and Johnny Cash tribute concert capturing the look, feel, and fun of the King. $30. Saturday, May 9, from 5 to 6 PM at Harter Hall (21338 Dumetz Rd.).

🎪 Family Festival (Burbank): An all-you-can-eat, drink, and play family festival with In-N-Out, face painting, bounce house, and clay Pokémon sculpting. $30. Saturday, May 9, starting at 5 PM at Brighton Hall (755 N. Whitnall Hwy.).

🎷 Wine and Live Music (Glendale): A night of funk, soul, and R&B with a full band at Belvedere Wine Bar. Full bar with wine, cocktails, and more. 21+. $39. Saturday, May 9, starting at 9 PM at Belvedere Wine Bar (328 N. Orange St.).

Sunday, May 10

🀄 Mother's Day Mahjong (Encino): Start Mother's Day with a social mahjong session at the Encino Farmers Market. $50/yr membership. Unlimited play. Monthly events. Sunday, May 10, from 9 AM to 1 PM at Encino Farmers Market (17400 Victory Blvd.).

🫖 Mother's Day Tea Party (North Hollywood): A family-friendly tea party with flowing tea, finger sandwiches, treats, and balloon art. $30. Sunday, May 10, at Moby's (10513 Burbank Blvd.).

🛍️ NoHo Market Artisan Boutique (North Hollywood): A Mother's Day weekend artisan boutique with local vendors and free dessert for all moms. Free. Sunday, May 10, from 12 to 6 PM at The Alley Burger (5072 Lankershim Blvd.).

😂 Sundays with Jeff Garlin (Burbank): Top headliners, celebrity guests, and fresh talent at this stand-up comedy showcase hosted by Jeff Garlin. $34. Sunday, May 10, from 12:30 to 2 PM at Flappers Comedy Club (102 E. Magnolia Blvd.).

Happening Soon

📚 BYOBook Silent Reading (Sherman Oaks): A silent reading event at a cozy wine bar. Bring your own book and read alongside fellow book lovers. Ticket includes a bookish drink. $25. Monday, May 11, at 6 PM at Buvette (15005 Ventura Blvd.).

🎬 Filmmaker Networking Mixer (Burbank): A curated networking night for filmmakers, co-hosted with Cooke Optics. Opens into a party with a Cooke lens demo and hands-on time with their gear. $15–$45. Wednesday, May 13, from 7 to 11 PM at 4131 Vanowen Pl.

🧚 DIY Fairy House Workshop (Burbank): Bring a glass jar and leave with a whimsical fairy house of your own creation. Guided art class. Arrive 30 minutes early. $65. Friday, May 15, starting at 6:30 PM at Secret Forest (3412 W. Magnolia Blvd.).

Not the Valley

😆 Netflix is a Joke (Los Angeles): 475 comedy shows, 500 artists, and 45 venues around Los Angeles. Nikki Glaser, Katt Williams, Pete Davidson, John Mulaney, Nate Bargatze, Wanda Sykes. And more. Until May 10.

🍲 Mokkoji Shabu Shabu (New—Northridge)

The Valley has a new Japanese shabu shabu spot 

They’re running a Mother's Day special with 15% off your entire order. Plus, a complimentary Polaroid picture of your party.

Choose from broths like spicy sukiyaki and spicy miso, paired with premium cuts like toro beef belly and zabuton.

A $20 lunch special with a drink and unlimited veggie refills is also available during the week.

Sunday, May 10, from 11:30 AM to 9 PM at Mokkoji (19500 Plummer St.).

🖌️ A TikToker has given the Silver Lake Stairs a fresh coat of paint after they were damaged with graffiti. (TikTok)

💇‍♀️ Lately is a new app in Los Angeles that lets you book last-minute beauty and wellness appointments at a discount.

🔋 California’s battery storage capacity is now the equivalent of 12 nuclear power plants. It’s enough to meet 40% of energy demand during peak periods. This helps keep the state on track to meet its clean energy goals. (Inside Climate)

❓️ This Valley neighborhood is named after a type of oak tree. Which one?

Hint: It’s also a misspelling of a Spanish word.

Last week’s question: What is considered to be the most haunted place in Los Angeles?

Answer: The Cecil Hotel is widely considered to be the most haunted place in Los Angeles. It’s in Downtown LA and is known for its history of suicides, murders, and serial killers.

Thanks for reading! See you next week.

PS Thanks for letting me take up space in your inbox every week (even if you’re also overwhelmed by messages).

PPS I finally watched Star Wars last week! I enjoyed it. But something weird was going on with the CGI…

📩 Was this forwarded to you? Sign up to get it.

📣 Want your event featured? Submit it.

🛍️ Give your business a boost. Advertise in NoHo Nick.